CNET Update: Tech deals and apps for Black Friday

CNET Update: Tech deals and apps for Black Friday

2:51 /
November 21, 2012

Score the best Black Friday deals with these apps, and get the scoop on the hottest tech doorbusters.

-Prepare yourselves, the deals are coming.
I'm Bridget Carey and this is your CNET Update.
Stretch those quads and charge those phones because this episode of CNET Update has tips for conquering Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year.
The first step is to do some research and load up on helpful apps.
There are apps that pull in all the store flyers and doorbuster deals in one menu.
Check out Black Friday Survival Guide on the iPhone or
there's an app called TGI Black Friday.
Next, you have to make a list to stay focused on what gifts you need.
If you're with a group and doing a divide and conquer mission, use a List Bliss.
It's available on Apple or Android.
List Bliss lets you sync a shopping list with a buddy and when someone checks something off the list or as an item, you can see it too.
That way, you don't end up buying doubles.
You also want to have a barcode scanner app handy because some stores are price matching with competitors.
Best Buy is price matching with Amazon.
So, why you're in line?
Scan a barcode for an item and an app like shop savvy will show other store prices, and if you find someone selling it for less, show the cashier, they'll give you the lower price.
At CNET, we also have a list of some Black Friday deals that caught our attention.
A few worth mentioning, Target and Best Buy are giving gift cards if you buy a new iPod Touch.
Best Buy is knocking 20 bucks off all models of the Roku.
Stores like RadioShack and Best Buy are selling the Samsung Galaxy S3 Smartphone for 50 bucks.
Sears has last year's Nook Simple Touch e-reader at $40.
It's normally $100.
And if you don't already have game system, there are several choices of bundles for Xbox and PlayStation that will throw in accessories, games, and knock about $100 off the price.
If you're in the market for a Blu-Ray player and you see one for a great price, go ahead and grab it.
Our editors have found that there's not a big difference between picture quality in Blu-Ray players these days, but avoid being up-sold on a warranty for some products because you're in a rush and you're tired and the cashier starts asking if you wanna buy an additional warranty, you need to think ahead if it's worth it.
If you're already getting the gadget
for cheap, it might not be worth the extra money.
Also, most products already come with a one-year warranty.
If you're shopping online over the weekend and on Cyber Monday, do your homework so you know if the sale price is really a deal or a dud.
Use price grabber to see what typical price is off for a product.
You might also find a good checkout coupon code at retailmenot.com.
And before you start your spending spree, there's an update on the story we mentioned in our last show.
We reported on a bill being drafted that could make it easier for law enforcement to access your e-mails without a
warrant.
Well, just a few hours after the story came out on CNET, the senator abandoned the controversial proposal, but we'll keep you posted on this next week when it comes to a vote.
That's your tech news update.
You can find links to all of these stories on the blog cnet.com/update.
From our studios in New York, I'm Bridget Carey.